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South America Located on a mountain ledge above the valley of Aguas Calientes, Machu Picchu is accessible by various means including walking, bus, and private car. Visitors will generally arrive first in Aguas Calientes (now formally referred to as Machu Picchu Pueblo). This can be done via road or railway. Visitors from overseas will fly first into Jorge Chávez International Airport (located in Lima, Peru) and then connect via flight to Cusco (1.5 hours from Lima by flight). From Cusco, the easiest way to get into the small town of Aguas Calientes is via train. This can take between 2 and 3 hours depending on the station of boarding, with those coming from the Ollantaytambo station needing a little less than two hours to reach their destination.
By Train
Several rail operators offer train transport to the city of Aguas Calientes, including PeruRail and IncaRail. Visitors coming from overseas will most likely be connecting to these lines via Cusco, the closest airport to Machu Pichu. Most train lines start from Ollantaytambo which is also the closest station to Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu. The ride time takes between 1.5 – 2 hours from this station, depending on the train line chosen. More than 10 daily train lines operate between Ollantaytambo and Aguas Calientes. In order to reach the Ollantaytambo bus terminal, a 90-minute shuttle bus ride from the Cusco airport is required. For those looking for a train station closer to the airport, connections can be made via Poroy which is located 12 kilometers (30 minutes by car or bus) from downtown Cusco.
By Bus
Once in the town of Aguas Calientes, busses are a viable way to reach the ancient city of Machu Picchu. This is also the route chosen by the majority of tourists, so expect larger crowds in peak season. The trip takes approximately 35 to 50 minutes and requires a paid ticket which is recommended to be purchased in advance. Note that purchasing a bus ticket, even when using cash, will require the presentation of your ID card or passport. The main bus stop in Aguas Calientes is located on Avenida Hermosa Ayer which is near the train station and only a short walk from nearly any hotel in the town. There are no set departure times for the bus, which generally operates when full or at regular intervals of approximately 20 minutes. Tickets can be purchased up to 7 days in advance.
By Hike
Visitors seeking a bit more of an adventure can consider reaching Machu Picchu via the Inka Trail, one of South America’s most impressive and sought-after hiking experiences. It is important to note that the Peruvian government limits the number of passes issued to hikers on any given day, and visitors must use an officially licensed tour operator in order to complete a hike on the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. There are several trail options, each with its own degree of difficulty. The 2-day Inca Trail option is more limited, with only 250 daily passes provided. 3-day, 4-day and 7-day trail options exist, all starting at different locations on the trail and ending in Machu Picchu. As a result of the limits being placed on daily trekking passes, many tour operators have developed alternative routes that focus on other ruins in the area.